Friday, 5 March 2010

Record turnout in vote for strike action!

A press release from the UCU on Wednesday 3 March

UCU members vote to strike at the University of Sussex

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the University of Sussex have today (Wednesday 3 March) voted overwhelmingly in favour of both strike action and action short of a strike in their fight to save jobs. The turnout - 80.9% - is the highest figure the union has ever had in a ballot. The union said the unprecedented turnout was indicative of the strength of feeling among UCU members across the country over savage funding cuts and damaging job losses.

Over three-quarters of staff (76%) who voted supported strike action and over four-fifths (82%) agreed to action short of a strike. The news comes just a month after UCU members at the University of Leeds delivered a then record turnout to vote for strike action. There are currently strike ballots taking place at King’s College London, University College London and the University of Kent.

The union said that although its members at Sussex had given a clear mandate for industrial action, it still hoped the dispute could be resolved without any disruption. The likelihood of strike action should become much clearer after a meeting of the university’s senate on Friday (5 March). At that meeting members of the senate will have the opportunity to pass a motion that calls for the job cut plans to be put on hold while the academic consequences are fully explored under the ambit of a senate working group.

It will then be up the university council, which meets the following week (Friday 12 March), to decide whether or not to push ahead with the university’s ‘proposals for change’, which will see 115 jobs go at the university. The union has been well supported by Sussex students and the students’ union today gave its unequivocal backing to the union’s campaign and proposed action. The union president made it quite clear that he would hold the university responsible for any disruption to students’ education or subsequent drop in quality.

UCU Sussex representative, Paul Cecil, said: “UCU members have today delivered a clear mandate for industrial action at the University of Sussex. We thank our members for participating in such large numbers and reiterate our belief that a negotiated settlement is still possible if the university steps back from implementing its job cut plans, votes to delay the decision and considers our alternatives.”

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “Industrial action is always a last resort but the bottom line is that serious job losses will impact massively across the University of Sussex and result in a far worse experience for students. This result, coupled with the Leeds one, makes it quite clear just how strong the feeling is around the country on this issue.”

Tom Wills, University of Sussex Students’ Union (USSU) president, said: "We are right behind Sussex staff and the principled stand they are taking in defence of their jobs and our education. We will hold university management responsible for disruption to our education resulting from the strike - but moreover we will hold management responsible for the devastation that will be wrought on our education if they succeed in pushing through their cuts proposals. Strike action by staff is the key to winning this battle and we will do everything we can to support it."

How to get involved

Trades union councils consist of representatives of trade unions or branches of trade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades unions council in the area in which it meets.

Affiliated unions

Who are we and what do we do?

Trades union councils bring together trade unions to campaign around issues effecting working people in their workplaces and local communities.

Trades Union Councils consist of trade unions or branches oftrade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades union council in the area in which it meets. Each branch will then send delegates to the trades union council's meetings. These branches pay an affiliation fee. Their delegates elect officers from amongst themselves to represent the views and priorities of the constituent branches and to take responsibility for working for and supporting the policy of Congress and the Trades Union Council (TUC) General Council. This is because trades union councils are registered with the TUC, rather than being entirely independent bodies. The Annual Conference of Trades Union Councils takes place over a May weekend.

Aims and objectives

> Raise public awareness of rights at work and the union role in enforcing those rights.

> Support union and community campaigns for dignity and respect in the workplace and beyond.

With the threats of racism and fascism, changes in the labour market and debates over the future of public services, the trade union voice in the community is as important as ever. The capacity of trades union councils to provide a local response and to organise trade unionists into coalitions with other progressive forces is crucial. They do this by providing services which keep local trade unionists up to date with developments within the wider trade union movement, and by taking up relevant local industrial and community issues.